Machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells



Filed May 18, 1923 v INYENTOZ A I J E O- Pa/vmeyar'.

iii

Patented Get. 27, 1925.

lssassii aware. PATENTI OI-"FIGE,

FREDERICK 0. PAI-IMEYER, on ST. Louis, rarssonanessrenon ro HEINEY BOILER COMPANY, or s'r. ou s, vrrssonnr, a conronarron or MISSOURI.

MACHINE FOR DRILLING OR REAMING BOILER SHELLS.

Application'filed May 18, 1923. Serial No. 639,798.

To all whom it may concern: I

'Be it known that I, FREDERICKQ. PAIL-I'- MEYER. a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Machines for Drilling or Reaming Boiler Shells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. This invention relates to machines of the kind that are used for drilling or reaming boiler shells.

Boiler shells or drums vary in length from four ft. to thirty-six ft. and weigh as high as 20 tons each. The tube holes are formed in the cylindrical portion ofthe shell and are arranged in parallel rows that extend longitudinally of the shell. Heretofore it has been the usual practice to arrange a boiler shell or drum on-rollers carried by the bed plate of a multiple spindle drill press, drill one row of longitudinal holes in the shell, then turn the shell so as to bring an imperforate portion of same into alignment with'the drills and repeat the above operations informing the other rows of holes in the shell. This same method is also used in the operation of reaming the holes in the shell. It is essential that the tube holes in the shell be disposed radially with respect to the center of the shell, and this causes considerable trouble when the shell is supported by rollers during the drilling or reaming operation, for when the butt straps on theexterior of the shell ride up onto the rollers arranged atone side of the longi tudinal axis of the shell, the shell assumes an incorrect position, or, in other words, be-

comes so disposed with relation to the drills or reamers that the holes drilled or reamed in the shell when the butt straps are resting on the shell will not be absolutely radially disposed. Moreover, when the butt straps strike against the rollers that support the shell considerable power or pressure isv required to turn the shell to cause the butt straps to ride up, onto the rollers.

Another objection to the machines heretofore. used for drilling or reaming boiler shells, is that the shell tends to revolve or turn after a large numberof holes have been formed in one longitudinal section or half of the shell, due to, the factthat the weight of the imperforate portion of the shell and the buttstraps thereon is so much greater than the longitudinal section of'the shell in which the holes are formed that the shellis unbalanced. It is, ofcourse, necessary to move the shelllongitudinally '01 the bed'plateof the machine "to bring the different transverse sections of the shell into position to be acted upon by the drills or reamers, and when the shell is supported by rollers, this adjustmentof the shell is effected by manually sliding the shell on the supporting rollersrlengthwise )0f the bed plate. If the shell being drilled or reamed is verylong, it is often necessary to turn it end'for end in order to bring all portions of same into the range of the spin dles that carry the drills or reainers. I

.From the foregoing it willbe seen that a boiler shell drilling machine otthe type in which the shell is supported on rollers during the operation of formingholesin the shell requires the services of a large numberof workmen to handle the shell, considerable time is required to change the position of the shell with relation to the tools that act on the shell, the butt straps on the exterior of the shell often cause the'shell to assume such a position that the holes formed in the shell will not be absolutely radial and considerable care has to be exercised to preboiler shells which is constructed in such 'a nanner that it is possible for a few workmen. to drill or ream a large sized gshell quickly and accurately.

Another'ob'ect is to provide a machine of the kind referred to which is so constructed that the butt straps on the exterior. of the shell do'not interfere with the adjustment of the shell or cause it to assume an incorrectlposition with relation to thetools used injthe operation of forming holes in the shell. j V

Another object ,is to provide a boiler shell drilling or reaming machine which is so constructed that the, shell will] be held. securely against accidental rotary movement after the shell has become unbalanced, due

to the formation of alarge numberso f holes And still another object is to provide a machine of the character mentioned which is so constructed that there is no liability of the shell strilting against the tools carried by the spindles of the machine dzi ing the operation of arranging the shell in a position to be acted upon by the tools and during the operation of removing the shell from the machine at the completion of the drilling or reaming operation.

To this end I have devised a machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, that com prises a base or bed plate, a gang of retatable spindles arranged above the bed plate, supporting structures mountet. on said base in such a way that they can be adjusted longitudinally of same, and means on said supporting structures adapted to be engaged with the ends or the heads of the shell for supporting the shell in such a way that the shell can be turned or revolved about its lon itudinal axis, thus producing a boiler shell. drilling machine that distinguished from the conventional boiler shell drilling machines, in that the shell is supported from its center instead of at its lower side. Various means may be used for rotatably mounting the shell on said supporting structures, but I prefer to equip said supporting structures with horizontallydisposed shafts provided with devices that are adapted to be inserted in the manholes in the heads or ends of the shell and securely clamped to same, and provide one of said supporting structures with an operating mechanism for turning the shaft thereon so as to revolve the shell to bring different portions of same into position to be acted upon by the tools used to form holes in the shell. In order to eliminate the pos sibility of the shell striking against the tools when the shell is being mounted on the means that sustains same during the operation of forn'iing holes in the shell, 1 construct said supporting structures in such a way that they can be adjusted transverse 1y of the base or bed plate of the machine, as well as longitudinally of said base, there by enabling the shell to be arranged in approximately the correct horizontal position on said supporting structures when said supporting structures are positioned at one side of the bed plate, and said supporting structures thereafter moved transversely of the bed plate so as to carry the shell into alignment with the tools.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevational View, partly broken away, of a boiler shell drilling :or reaming machine constructed in accordance with. my invention.

Figure 2 is an end View of said machine.

Figure'8 is a vertical, transverse sectional View, illustrating one means that may be used for sustaining the intermediate portion of the shell and preventing it from vibrating and turning when the tools are acting on the shell; and

Figure 4 illustrates an air jack that may be used instead of a turn-buckle for tightening the flexible member that extends over the top side of the shell.

Referring to the l a base or be zontally under avings, A designate-s hat is arranged horiplurality rotatable spiutles a; that are adapted to be equipped wih drills or realnors that are used to drill or ream holes in a boiler shell 50, said base A beh l considerably greater length than the portion C of the machine wiich carries the spi es B 1 u} right I) of the machine which carries the portion C being arranged at the re r side of the i: i o that it will not rent of the shell longitudi- 'c it. thus enal'd n .o be cper: -ed on by the in l :e without the necessity of turning tac equippgd l 1 l and .3] vii bein 'n'ovided a l I V be (letachabl; connected to the e1 or heads 3 of the shell in such a way that the shell serves to connect the two supportine strutar'rw e 1 AZ mid 7!! toguiei, )ut is cnpacie Oi tures r and JD being revolved or turned relatively to said supporting tructures by turning one or the other of s shafts 7. It is imma- G or t, terial, so far as my invention is concerned, wnat means employed to counec; the shell to the shafts G and G, but if prefer to provide each of said shafts at its inner end with a non-circular-shaped member 1, shown in Figure 3, that conforniis to and which adapted to be ed in the manhole in the lit-ad y of the she-.i with which it co-operates, and hold said member 1 clamped tightly against the shell 1 l by a clamping device 2 arranged on the inside of the shell in engagement with the flanged portion] of the shell head that surrounds the manhole, as shown in Figure 1. The clamping device may be formed conveniently by a bar arranged transversely at the inner end of a which extends through the rotatable rod a shaft of the'member 1 with which said clamping device co-operates, said rod being move inwardly, and when said rods reach such a position that the clamping devices 2 on the inner ends of same ai.e positione'(;l within the shell beyond the flanged portions 2 on the heads of the shell that surround the manholes, said rods are then turned by mani 'iulating handles 5 on the outer ends of same so as to arrange the clamping devices 2 in a vertical position or at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the manholes which are oval-shaped, as shown in Figure 3. The clampingdevicesQ are then held at restby pressure applied to the handles 5 on the outer ends of the rods 8, and the nuts 4 are revolved in the opposite direction sov as to 'nove the rods 3 outwardly, thus causing the oval-shaped manhole engaging members 1 on the shafts G and G to be drawn tightly into the manholes in the heads of the shell. As shown in Figure 1, eachof the nuts 1 is preferably provided with a hand wheel e, so as to facilitate turning said nuts during the operation of connecting the shafts G and G with the heads y of the shell. After the members 1 on the shafts Gr and 3x have been drawn into snug engagement with the flanged. portions 2 of the shellheads that surround the manholes in said heads, the shell can be revolved easily by turning one or the other of saidshafts and the shell will combine with the supporting structures F and F in such a way that it oins said structures to ether. In the form of my invention herein illustrated the shaft G is provided with a worm gear 6 that co op'erates with a worm 7 on a shaft 8 carried by the'supporting structure F and provided with a hand wheel 9. Vfhen it is desired to '-turn the shell so as to bring an imperforate portion of sameinto position to be acted upon by the tools E, this can be effected casilyby turning the hand wheel 9. thereby imparting'rotary movement to the shaft G and to the shell to which it is connected. lvloreover, as the shaft is provided with a worm gear 6 that meshes with worm 7 .said shaft and the boiler shell 99 to which it is connec'ted will be pre rented from turning accidentally whenthe shell becomes unbalanced, due to the form'a tion of a large number of holes in one longitudinal section of theshell. V

' In order to prevent the shell or drumm from deflecting :or vibrating when the tools are operating'onsame', I provide the machine with snpports arranged intermediate the ends of the shell that are adapted to be moved into engagement with" the underside of the shell, and a means for holding the shell securely on said supports while the toolsE are operating on the shell. The particnlar type or kind of s'upports that are used is immaterial, but I prefer to equip the base A with supports that can be moved into engagement with the underside of the shell 5 after the shell has been positioned on -the shafts G- and'G and which are so ,niounted or arr-mgea um they will not interfere with the longitudinal adjustmentof the supporting structures F and F's In the form of my invention herein A so that the screws H can be swung laterally into and out of engagement with the shell m when said shell is positioned on the shafts on thesupporting structures F and F, and in order that said blocks maybe bodily removed fromthe base'A so as to not interfere with the longitudinal adjustment of said supporting structures, removable pins H shown in Figure '3, are-used to connect saidblocks to the base A. After the screws or supportsI-I have been adjusted upwardly into engagement with the underside of the shell, a flexible member J, preferably a chain, is passed over the shell and tightened so as to hold the shell down securely on the supports H, the opposite ends of said chain being connected in any suitable way to the base A and means being provided for tightening said chain. Said 'means may consist of a turn-buckled, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, or one or more air jacks J shown in Figure 4, can be combined with the chain J, so as totighten same when it is desired to clamp the shell against the supports H. In order that the shell m may be mounted on the shafts G and G and removed'from said shafts without liability of the shell striking against the tools E of the machine, I construct the supporting structures rF and F in such a way that the portionsof same inwhich the shafts G, and G are mounted can be adjusted transversely of the base A, thereby enabling the shell to be mounted on said shafts when said shafts are positioned at one side of the tools E. This can be accomplished in various ways, such, for eX- ample, as by mounting the supporting structures Fand E on carriages K and K and providing means for adjusting said supporting structures transversely of said carriages so as to shiftthe shell into and out of vertical alignment with the tools E of the machine. As shown in Figures'l, and 2, each of the carriages K and K is provided with transversely-disposed operating screw-L that passes through an internally screw-threaded bore on-nut-L on the supportingstructuremountedon the carriage,

the rotary movement of said screw in one direction causing said supporting structure to more transversely of the carria e towards the rear of the base A of the machine and the rotary movenient of said screw in the opposite direction causing said supporting structure to move transversely to the carriage towards the front of the base A. A pawl and ratchet mechanism comprising an operating handle M is combined with each of the screws L, so as to enable said screw to be rotated easily.

()wing to the fact that the shell is of consicerahly greater length than the portion C of the n'iacliine which carries the tool spindles B, the supporting structures F and if" have to be adjusted longitudinally of the base to bring the various transverse sections of the shell into position to be acted upon by the tools carried by said spindles. In order to accomplish this adjustment of the shell easily, I equip the base or bed plate A with rails N that extend longitudinally of same and provide the carriages K and K with grooved wheels or rollers O that travel on said rails, thereby producing a supporting means for the shell that can be easily adjusted longitudinally of the base.

Boiler shells or drums vary in diameter. Accordingly, when a shell of small diameter is being operated on it is necessary that the shafts G and G be arranged at a higher level than when a shell of maximum diameter is being operated on. Consequently, I prefer to construct the machine in such a way that the shafts G and G can be raised and lowered easily. In the form of my invention herein illustrated this is accomplished by equipping the supporting structures F and F with filler blocks P that can be removed and replaced by filler blocks of different thicl ness when it is desired to vary the lex 'el of the shafts and G.

In using my improved machine the carriages K and K are spaced apart far enough to permit a boiler shell or drum to be arranged between the shafts G and G on the supporting structures mounted on said carriages, said supporting structures at this :ime being arranged adjacent the front ends of the carriages. The shell is lifted or moved upwardly to such a height that the men'ihers 1 on the shafts G and G can be inserted in the manholes in the heads 1 of the shell, and thereafter, the clamping devices 2 are manipulated so as to draw the members 1 into snug engagement with said manholes, thus causing the shell to be firmly clamped to the shafts G and G. The ratchet levers M are then actuated so as to rotate the screws L and move the supporting structures F and F transversely of the carriages K and K into such a position that the shell will be positioned in vertical alignment with the tools E, care being taken to cause the tools to positioned in absolutely longitudinal alignment with the longitudinal axis of the shell. The supports H then adjusted upwardly into engagement with the underside of the shell and the chain J is thereafter passed oxer the shell and tightened so as to hold the shell firn'ily down on said supports H. The tools E are then operator. in such a way as to form one lon gitudinal row of holes in the top side of the shell, and after said row has been formed, the hand wheel 9 is rotated so as to turn the shell into position to bring an iinperforate ortion of directly under the tools E. After the required number of longitudinal rows of holes have been formed in this transverse section of the shell the carriages K and K are moved longitudinally of the base A, so as to bring the next transverse section of the shell into the range of the tools E, the hand wheel 9 being manipulated so as to turn or revolve the shell to bring the imperforate portions of same into alignment with the tools l After the holes have been formed in the shell, or after the holes have been reamed, the supporting structures F and F are moved transversely of the car riages K and K towards the front of the base A by operating the ratchet levers M so as to position the shell in front of the tools E, thus enabling the shell to be removed from the shafts G and G ithout liability of striking against the tools E.

In view of the fact that the shell is supported at its center by shafts which are engaged with the manholes in the heads of the shell or in temporary heads that are inserted in the end portions of the shell, the butt straps on the exterior of the shell do not interfere with the adjustment of the shell or cause it to assume an incorrect position with relation to the tools used in the operation of forming holes in the shell. As the shell is firmly clamped to two shafts, one of which is combined with a mechanism for turning the shaft, the shell can be rotated easily, and as the shell is carried by sup porting structures which are mounted on carriages, it is a simple matter to move the shell longitudinally of the base, to bring the various transverse sections of same into alignment with the portions of the machine in which the tool spindles are mounted. Even after the shell has become unbalanced, due to the formation of a largenumber of holes in one longitudinal section or half of the shell, there is no liability of the shell turning accidentally, owing to the fact that the shaft G is locked by a worm 7 and worm gear 6. While I have herein illustrated my invention embodied in a machine in which the worm 7 is operated by a hand wheel 9, it will, of course, be obvious that an electric motor or other suitable means could be used in place of the hand wheel 9 to rotate the between the top side o'tthe shell andthe' tools mounted in the portion C of, the mag:

chine that hangs over the "shell. lnother;

words, by mounting the-supporting struc: tures F and F in such a way that they-can be moved transversely of the carriages K and K,;the shell can be arranged in approximately correct horizontal-position on the shafts G and G when the supportingrstructures F and F are positioned at one side of the tools E or at the front of the baseA, and

thereafter, said supporting structures can be moved rearwardly so as to arrange the shell in longitudinal alignment with the tools E. Accordingly, even if the machine isequipped with short tools E, there is no liability of the shell striking against said toolsawhen' the shell is being mounted on or removedfrom the means that supports same during the operationof forming holesin the-shell.

1 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by 'Let tersPatent 1s: r

Lil machine for-drilling-or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spine dles, and means for supporting a boiler shell at the centers ofthe heads or endpieces of the *shell. during theoperation of forming holes in the shell With the toolson said spindles. V 2. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising a gang of rotatable tool spindles, supporting structures ar ranged atthe ends of the shell beingoperatedzon, and means carried by said support ing structures and adapted to be-engaged withthe centers of the heads or end pieces of the shellfor supportingand sustaining theshell in a stationary position while it is being acted upon by the tools on saidspindles .7,

3. A machlne for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising-rotatable toolspin dles, supporting structures arranged atthe ends of the shell-being operated'pon, horizontally-disposerl sha'li'ts carried by said supporting structures, and means for enabling said shatl'sto be detachably connected to the heads or end pieces of the shell so as to sustain said shell and hold it stationary while the tools of said-spindles are operating on the shell. J

4.-A 'machine for drilling "or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spin-' dles, supportingstructures arranged at the ends of-the shell being .-operated-- on, shafts on said supportingstructures provided with members that are ladapted to be inserted in the manholes in; the heads or ficnd, pieces of the shell, and means for clamping the heads to said inembersso as to cause the shell to be sustained by said shattsfwhile the tools of said spindles are operating on the shell.

5. A machine for drilling or reamingboilerishells, comprising a base or bed plate, tool spindles arranged above said base, longitudinally-adjustable supporting structures on said base provided with means for supporting a boiler shell at its center,'and,means tor enabling said supporting structures to be adjusted transversely of the base to bringv the shell into and out of operative relationship with the tools on said spindles.

6. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising a base or bed plate, a plurality of rotatable tool spindles arranged above said base, longitudinally-movable,ear riages mounted on said base, supporting structures on said carriages, means for adjusting said supporting structures transversely of the carriages, and means on said supporting structures adapted to lee-engaged with the heads or end pieces of a boiler shell for supporting the shell at its center and holding it in a horizontal position beneath. said spindles. I i

r 7. A machine for drilling or reaming boils er shells, comprising a base .or bed plate, a plurality of rotatable tool spindles arranged above said base, supporting struc-, tures on said base, devices on said supporting structure adapted to be engaged with the heads or end pieces of a boiler shell for supporting the shell, means for rotating said shell to bring imperforate portionsof same into position to be acted upon by the tools on'said spindles, and means whereby said supporting structures can be adjusted longitudinallyof the base and transversely of the base, for the purpose described.

. 8. Anapparatus for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprisingrotatable 'tool spindles, supporting structures arranged at the ends of the shell being operated upon, hori-' zontally-disposed shafts carried by said supporting structures and adapted to beconnected with the heads or end pieces or said shell to sustain it in operative relationship with said spindles, and mechanisnrtor rotating one of said shaftsto turn or revolve the shell about its longitudinal axis, so as to bring iiinpertorate portions of the shell into position to be acted upon by the tools of said spindles.

. '9, An apparatus for drilling orreaniing boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spin dles, supporting structures arranged 'at the till iii!

and a mechanism for rotating one oi said shafts comprising a worm gearing.

10. An apparatus for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, supporting structures arranged at the ends of the shell being operated upon, devices on said supporting structures a ted to be engaged with the head. or eces of the shell to support the shell while it is being operated upon by the tools ofsaid spindles, and removable elements 1 )ciated with said devices so as to enable said devices to be raised or lowered to adapt the machine to shells of different diameters.

11. An apparatus for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, supporting structures arranged at the ends of the shell being operated upon and rovided with means for supporting the shell at its center, and means arranged between said supporting structures for preventing the shell from vibrating or turning when holes are being formed in same by the tools of said spindles.

12. An apparatus for drilling or reaming, boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, supporting structures arranged at the ends of the shell being operated upon and provided with means for supporting the shell at its center, supports between said supporting structures that are adapted to be engaged with the underside of the shell, and means for clamping the shell securely on said supports.

13. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, a base or bed plate, longitudinallyadjustable supporting structures on said base, shafts on said supporting structures, means for connecting said shafts to the heads or end pieces of a boiler shell so as to sustain said shell in operative i.'e-ationship with said spindles, vertically-adjustable supports on said bed plate adapted to be moved into engagement with the underside of the intermediateportion of the shell, and means for clamping the shell down on said supports.

14. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spin dles, a base or bed plate, longitudinally-adjust-able supporting structures on said base provided with means for rotatably supporting a boiler shell at its center l hold ng it in operative relationship with said spindles, and vertically-adjustable supports on said base, adapted to be moved into engagement with the underside of the intermediate portion of the shell and arranged so as to not interfere with the longitudinal adjustment of said supporting structures.

15. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, a base or bed plate, longitudinallymovable carriages on said base, trans versely-movable supporting structures mounted on said carriages, horizontally-disposed shafts on said supporting structures, means for detachably connecting the shafts to the heads or end pieces of boiler shell, verticallyadjustable supports on the base adapted to be engaged with the underside of the intermediate portion of the shell, a flexible member that is adapted to be passed over the shell to hold it firmly on said supports, and means for tightening said flexible member.

16. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, two spaced'supporting structures between which a boiler shell is adapted to be arranged, means on said supporting structures adapted to be engaged with the manholes in the heads or end pieces of the shell to support the shell while it is being acted upon by the tools on said spindles, and means for turning or revolving the shell so as to bring imperforate portions of same into position to be acted upon by said'tools.

17. A machine for drilling or reaming boiler shells, comprising rotatable tool spindles, two spaced supporting structures between which a boiler shell is adapted to be arranged, means on said supporting structures adapted to be engaged with the manholes in the heads or end pieces of the shell to support the shell while. it is being acted upon by the tools on said spindles, means for turning or revolving the shell so as to bring imperforate portions of same into alignment with said tools, and means whereby the supporting structures can be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the tools on said spindles.

18. A machine for drilling or reaming tube holes in boiler shells, comprising a base or bed plate, an upright on said bed plate,

vertically-disposed tool spindles mounted in a laterally-projeoting portion on said upright, and longitudinally-adjustable supporting structures on said base provided with means adapted to be engaged with the heads or end pieces of the shell to support the shell in a horizontal position beneath said spindles while it is being acted upon by the tools carried by said spindles.

19. A machine for drilling or reaming tube holes in boiler shells, comprising abase or bed plate, an upright at one edgeof said bed plate, vcrtically-disposed tool spindles mounted in a laterally-projecting portion on said upright, longitud'inally-adjustable supporting structures on said base provided with means adapted to be engaged with the heads or end pieces of the shell to support the shell in a horizontal position beneath said spindles while it is being acted upon by the tools carried by said spindles, a manually-operable means for turning the shell to bring imperforate portions of same into alignment with said tools when said tools are not operating on the shell, and means for preventing the shell from vibrating or turning While it is being acted upon by said tools.

20. A machine for drilling or reaming tube holes in boiler shells, comprising a base or bed plate, an upright at one edge of said bed plate, vertically-disposed tool spindles mounted in a laterally-projecting portion on said upright, longitudinally-adjustable supporting structures on said base provided with means adapted to be engaged With the heads or end pieces of the shell to support the'shell' in a horizontal position beneath said spindles While it is being acted upon by the tools carried by said spindles, a manually-operable means for turning the shell to bring imperforate portions of same int-o alignment with said tools When said tools are disengaged from the shell, means for preventing the shell from vibrating or turning While it is being acted upon by said tools, and means whereby said supporting structures can be adjusted longitudinally of the base and also transversely of the base, for the urpose described. v REDERIGK O. PAHMEYER 

